27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

No Cause for Boasting

Jewish people might feel proud because of their Jewish heritage. They may have contempt for Gentiles who do not have the history that they do. Gentiles might feel proud too. They did not walk in ways which led to the diaspora. They did not have the chance to live in rebellion to a law they never knew. We can all develop a superior attitude, but God gifts Christians with faith equally no matter what their background is.

If you are a Christian it is not because of any great act of your own. God rescues all people equally. Is faith something that we generate? I think that faith is a gift. God gives people the fortitude to choose him and the fortitude to continue in their choice. Emotional highs and lows might put pressure to deviate from the course. However the gracious gift of faith keeps us true to God.

Prayer

God, thank you for faith. I do not want to be dismissive of those who struggle with faith. I have struggled with my emotions, especially feeling connection. However, you have brought me through hard times. You have saved me, and you work your salvation out through me.

Questions

What becomes of boasting?

What worth are works?

Describe the faith as Paul sees it.

What is the source of your faith?

How do you know you have faith?

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About Plymothian

I teach at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. My interests include education, biblical studies, and spiritual formation. I have been married to Kelli since 1998 and we have two children, Daryl and Amelia. For recreation I like to run, play soccer, play board games, read and travel.

13 Responses to Romans 3:27-31 No Cause for Boasting

I take such comfort in the fact that my faith is from God, not myself. I do not have the wisdom or strength to choose God, but He has chosen me. Because of that, I have nothing to boast in but much to take comfort in. He remains faithful, even when I am faithless.

31 “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”

I love the tension that Paul brings out between the law and faith. It is incredible to see how individuals perceive themselves as “good” based on a few selective rules that they follow. In contrast, it is Christ who makes us good! I appreciate how Paul points out that our faith in Christ will only help us to uphold the law better than ever before.

Boasting becomes excluded because we are justified by faith apart from works of the law. That faith comes from God, so it has the power to justify us. Christ satisfied the requirements of the law so that we might be counted among the righteous if we walk by the Spirit, and that is how we know that we have faith.

What becomes of boasting?
it is excluded by the law of faith.
What worth are works?
Works have no worth in our justification.
Describe the faith as Paul sees it.
God is the God of the Jew and the Gentile who will justify the circumcised and the uncircumcised through faith.
What is the source of your faith?
The source of my faith is Jesus Christ who has revealed the Father to me by the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do you know you have faith?
Hebrews 11:1. I am sure of what I hope for and I am certain of what I do not see.

Pride is a sin that so easily pops up in my life. It is so easy to be proud or boastful, especially while attending such a wonderful school like Moody, and while receiving the training that I am receiving. Although, I was just talking to a friend about this reality, and he reminded me that one of the best ways to stay humble is to be faithful in the small tasks that God sets before us. May that be true in all of our lives.

1. What becomes of boasting? Nothing but the escalation of one’s own pride and the damaging of people around you
2. What worth are works? There is no worth for works that are done for one’s own salavation
3. Describe the faith as Paul sees it. Paul sees faith as the only way of grasping onto Christ and the salvation that he has given to us through himself; it is not through works or the law but through faith that one receives salvation from the Lord
4. What is the source of your faith? The trinity
5. How do you know you have faith? When you have faith, who you rely on changes; you no longer look to yourself as the ultimate authority or wisdom in your own life. Rather you see Christ as the head of your life and you actively accept his way for you

1. It is excluded by the law of faith all because of God’s grace.
2. Works are worthless in one’s salvation.
3. He sees it as our obedient faith in the gracious God who enables us through Himself to be justified.
4. God is the source of my faith.
5. The Holy Spirit and His work in my life.

“Is faith something that we generate? I think that faith is a gift. God gives people the fortitude to choose him and the fortitude to continue in their choice.” It is really encouraging to know that faith is not something that we generate ourselves but rather is a gift of God. This takes the pressure off of me and my ability (or lack thereof) and places it on a God who gives graciously.

What becomes of boasting?-It is excluded by the law of faith.
What worth are works?-Works cannot gain salvation.
Describe the faith as Paul sees it.-Faith is loving obedience because of a relationship with Christ, who has saved us.

This passage tells us not to boast. However, one passage that I really like is 2 Corinthians 10: 17 where it says, “But let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” We may be warned not to boast about ourselves, but boasting about God is not only not wrong, but is a great practice to get in the habit of.

My faith often brings many hard times, and in difficult situations my faith tends to wander and doubt. Surely enough my faith ultimately remains in tact because of God’s faithfulness in gifting me with being able to have faith. I cannot boast in my faith or my Christian experiences because I fail in my faith all of the time, but we can all boast in the Lord for it is he who has sustained us and gifted us with all things.

If you are a Christian it is not because of any great act of your own.
Wow… this statement is so powerful and inspires to stop and contemplate….I think I was prone to think that I became a Christian because it what I chose…who I chose to be.
Simply putting, it was I who did that. Not God.
However, it IS God who allowed me to be a Christ-follower, so-called Christian.
Who am I to think to boast in myself but not in God? Lord, I ask for forgiveness for my pride.